Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Izvestia in an interview published Wednesday that Russia sees "no grounds for negotiations yet" to end its war on Ukraine. The remarks come as speculation grows over potential peace talks following President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, which will coincide with the nearly three-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Stalemate on Peace Talks
Russia continues to occupy approximately 20% of Ukraine and claims to have annexed four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—despite only partially controlling them. The Kremlin insists Ukraine and its Western allies must accept Russia’s “new territorial realities,” including its 2014 annexation of Crimea.
While both Russia and Ukraine have signaled an openness to renewed peace talks in recent weeks, they remain far apart on key issues. Central sticking points include the fate of occupied territories and Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO.
Peskov acknowledged that several nations, including Qatar, have expressed willingness to host potential negotiations. "The emirate has been a very active and effective mediator in various areas," he said, adding that Russia values Qatar’s goodwill and strong bilateral relations.
Military and Diplomatic Maneuvers
As President Joe Biden’s administration enters its final months, both sides are pushing to strengthen their positions militarily and diplomatically. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hosted high-profile visits from Western leaders in Kyiv, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU officials, securing new pledges of military aid. Scholz announced $680 million in additional support, while the U.S. unveiled a $750 million package this week.
Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of external support amid ongoing challenges on the battlefield, stating that Ukraine requires "significant reinforcement, particularly through weapons from our partners."
Escalation on the Ground
Fighting remains intense. Russian forces are advancing in eastern Ukraine while seeking to expel Ukrainian troops from positions in Russia's Kursk region, captured during a surprise offensive in August. Both sides continue long-range drone and missile campaigns: Russia targets Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, while Ukraine strikes military and oil facilities.
Ukraine's air force reported intercepting 22 of 28 Russian drones launched overnight Wednesday, while Russia claimed its forces downed 35 Ukrainian drones.
External Reactions
The conflict continues to draw international attention. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has criticized U.S. support for Ukraine, announced Wednesday that he had returned to Russia to interview Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Carlson previously interviewed President Vladimir Putin in February.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has expressed hope that increased Western support will bolster Ukraine’s defenses as the war grinds on, underscoring that aid like the latest U.S. package is “exactly what we need.”
